Last Book Signing!

Whereas the signings were all enjoyable; I'm glad the tour is over. Tonight the final event ended at 9 p.m. at the Barnes & Noble store located in Spokane Valley. The managers were enthusiastic and several books sold prior to the event. I met two local authors both with compelling stories to tell and sell. We exchanged ideas and shared our challenges and frustrations. I was hoping to post a stunning photo of a train perched on the high bridge over Latah Canyon where each train coming from the West makes a dramatic entry into the city, but the cloudy weather and lack of traffic foiled the plan. Instead, I'll share a scene from Spokane's Riverfront Park. Maybe the train pictures will happen tomorrow when I visit Sandpoint, Idaho.

The clock tower is all that was left of the former Great Northern train station. The station and tracks were removed prior to the World's Fair held at this location in 1974. Spokane is still a busy rail hub. The yards are now east of the city but numerous trains come and go using the elevated road bed that was built through the center of downtown. I've ridden Amtrak's Empire Builder through town and the view is terrific at night. You literally ride above the city.

Good Morning Northwest!

 Kennewick got a rude awakening today when I went live with Crystal Costa on the early morning news show "Good Morning Northwest."  I was hosted by the local ABC affiliate KVEW TV.  It was my first time inside a TV studio. It's not that bad. The crew are helpful and try to make you feel comfortable. The worst of it was being hungry and watching the local Red Lobster chef toast a bread appetitizer. I hope the viewers didn't hear my stomach growl. Crystal is a real live-wire and I don't know how she kept pace with all the activity. Jason is a cool guy too walking around barefooted with thongs. He gave the weather report in front of a black curtain. The questions Crystal asked was on the teleprompter but I had to come up with the answers. It takes a huge staff and tons of equipment to keep a TV show going.

When the local Barnes & Noble suggested that I contact the media outlets, I honestly thought I was going into a radio studio. I should have put on a tie.

The title of this post is interactive taking you to KVEW's website. Second, click on the link "Author Gary Friedly"

Scenes set in beautiful Kirkland WA

I forgot the number of scenes in the story set in Kirkland, WA until I went around town trying to get them all recorded on film. I enjoyed  Combo 1 at Burgermaster where you are still waited on by a car hop. How many years had it been? I didn't remember the routine. They had to tell me everything. It didn't come natural to roll up the window enough to accommodate the trays. I still spilled everything on my lap. It is technically demanding to eat French fries from a window tray without slopping catchup everywhere. The ladies and men were very gracious and the service was great. Burgermaster is the Northwest's answer to Southern Cal's In & Out. I didn't find Emma Brown's dance studio because it doesn't exist but I did find Carillon Point on Yarrow Bay. Carillon is pronounced "Carolyn." Just so you know! I asked the Manager at the "Bin on the Lake" restaurant if I could take some pictures on their patio and then told her why. She was so excited that their restaurant was a scene in a novel. Also, Trevor's neighborhood just east of Bridle Trails State Park is classy just as I expected. Many of the owners have horses on the property. I visited one home on a 1-acre selling for $995,000. The owners converted the horse barn into an exercise room and work shop. The agent said in a good market the property could fetch $1.3 million. The homes there were built in the late '60s but look like new inside and out. Check out the updated album for Seattle: www.facebook.com/bridgeoverthevalley.

Good Night Seattle Barnes & Noble

A good night was had by myself and several readers at this B & N downtown Seattle store located in the Pacific Place Mall. Next stop is over the Pass to Ellensburg. Meanwhile life is busy taking in some city sights and touring some independent stores hoping to generate some interest in Bridge Over the Valley.

Seattle

Business was brisk today at the downtown Seattle Borders. Many of the customers were on their lunch break and didn't have time to listen to my sales pitch. That said several books were sold to tourists who were interested in reading a story with Seattle roots. The Camlin Hotel, located on 9th & Pine St. is a convenient walk to both book stores.